**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 769 regarding the establishment of Mega Food Parks (MFP) in Maharashtra, answered on December 4th, 2025. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has been implementing the Scheme for Mega Food Parks since 2008 but the scheme has been discontinued w.e.f. 01.04.2021. The document provides details on the scheme's guidelines and current status.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Scheme Overview:**
* The Ministry of Food Processing Industries implemented the Mega Food Park Scheme since 2008, functioning on a hub and spoke model.
* The scheme aimed to create infrastructure for primary processing and storage (Primary Processing Centers - PPCs) and common facilities (Central Processing Centre - CPC).
* The Ministry does not set up MFPs directly; execution, ownership, and management are the responsibility of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)/Implementing Agency (IA).
* The Ministry provides financial support as a grant in aid/subsidy to the Implementing Agencies, based on applicable scheme guidelines.
* **Financial Assistance:**
* The scheme allowed a capital grant of 50% of the eligible project cost in general areas.
* A 75% grant was available in difficult and hilly areas (North East Region, Sikkim, J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and ITDP notified areas).
* The maximum grant was Rs. 50 Crore per project.
* **Land Requirement:**
* At least 50 acres of land were required for the Central Processing Centre of a Mega Food Park.
* **Project Selection:**
* The Ministry invited proposals from interested entities/organizations through Expression of Interest (EoI).
* **Current Status in Maharashtra:**
* Three Mega Food Parks have been approved in Maharashtra.
* **Scheme Discontinuation:**
* The government discontinued the scheme w.e.f. 01.04.2021, with provisions for committed liabilities during the 15th Finance Commission cycle.
* **Annexure Details of Approved Mega Food Parks in Maharashtra**
* Satara Mega Food Park Pvt. Ltd. in Satara, operational.
* Paithan Mega Food Park Pvt. Ltd. in Aurangabad, operational.
* Wardha Mega Food Park Pvt. Ltd. in Wardha, under implementation.
**Impact Analysis**
**Implementing Agencies (SPVs)**
* **Impact:** Implementing Agencies cannot apply for any new Mega Food Park. They will continue to manage and operate existing approved Mega Food Parks.
* **Action Required:** Focus on completing and operating already approved projects, managing committed liabilities.
**Food Processing Industries/Farmers/Consumers**
* **Impact:** Limited opportunities for new Mega Food Park infrastructure.
* **Action Required:** Utilize existing food park facilities or seek alternative schemes for food processing support.
**Ministry of Food Processing Industries**
* **Impact:** Shift in focus from new projects to managing existing commitments.
* **Action Required:** Monitor the progress of existing projects and manage financial liabilities related to them.
Key Entities Referenced
Scheme for Mega Food Parks: A program implemented by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries to create infrastructure and support the establishment of Mega Food Parks in India.
Ministry of Food Processing Industries: The Indian government ministry responsible for implementing the Scheme for Mega Food Parks.
Maharashtra: The state where the establishment of Mega Food Parks is discussed in the context of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 769
ANSWERED ON 04TH DECEMBER, 2025
ESTABLISHMENT OF MEGA FOOD PARK IN MAHARASHTRA
†769. SHRI BALYA MAMA SURESH GOPINATH MHATRE:
Will the Minister of Food Processing Industries be pleased to state:
(a) whether establishing a mega food park requires suitable land, necessary infrastructure
and an efficient supply chain keeping in view the availability of these resources in Bhiwandi,
Maharashtra and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government proposes to or is likely to set up a mega food park there in
future, if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government is taking any steps towards detailed planning and
implementation in this regard, if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government is considering prioritizing areas with urban-rural connectivity
under the mega food park scheme especially where logistics facilities already exist; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
(SHRI RAVNEET SINGH)
a) to (e). The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has been implementing the Scheme
for Mega Food Parks since 2008. The scheme functioned on a hub and spoke model. It includes
creation of infrastructure for primary processing and storage near the farm gate at Primary
Processing Centers (PPCs) and common facilities and enabling infrastructure at the Central
Processing Centre (CPC). The CPC has need based common infrastructure required for
processing, packaging, environmental protection, quality control, trade facilitation etc. The
Ministry on its own does not set up any Mega Food Park Project. The responsibility of
execution, ownership and management of the Mega Food Park (MFP) vests with a Special
Purpose Vehicle (SPV)/ Implementing Agency (IA) and the Ministry only provides support in
the form of Grant in aid/ subsidy to the Implementing Agencies as per scheme guidelines
applicable. The scheme envisaged a capital grant @50% of the eligible project cost in general
areas and @75% in difficult and hilly areas i.e. North East Region including Sikkim, J&K,
Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and ITDP notified areas of the States subject to a maximum of
Rs. 50 Crore per project. At least 50 acres of land was required to be arranged by the SPV
/Implementing agency (IA) for the Central Processing Centre of the Mega Food Park. Ministry
had invited Proposals from interested entities/organizations through Expression of Interest
(EoI) floated from time to time, in accordance with scheme guidelines for setting up of Mega
Food Parks. So far 3 Mega Food Parks have been approved in the state of Maharashtra, the
details of these MFPs are at Annexure.
Ministry cannot sanction any new MFP as the scheme has been discontinued by the
Government w.e.f. 01.04.2021 with provision for committed liabilities during 15th Finance
Commission cycle.
*****Annexure
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO PART (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO. 769 REGARDING ESTABLISHMENT OF MEGA FOOD PARK IN
MAHARASHTRA ANSWERED ON 04.12.2025
SPV/IA Nam Distt. State/ Date of FiTotal projecApproved g Grant Rele Status
e UT Na nal Appro t cost (Rs. I rant(Rs. In ased (INR i
me val n Cr.) CR.) n Cr)
Satara Mega Fo Satar Mahara 06-Aug-1 139.33 50 45 Operation
od Park Pvt Ltd a shtra 4 al
Paithan Mega F Aura Mahara08-Mar-13 124.52 48.82 43.94 Operation
ood Park Pvt Lt ngabashtra al
d d
Wardha Mega F Ward Mahara 13-Jan-16 92.36 50 15 Under Im
ood Park Pvt Lt ha shtra plementat
d ion